American Craft Beer Week falls in May, and we look forward to it every year—nearly as much as we look forward to dusting off our grills and throwing a thick Porterhouse down over the flames!
As butchers who have practiced and honed our craft for five generations, we can appreciate the expertise, skill, and care that go into making a fine craft brew. We are passionate about cutting meat, sourcing the very best meat, and providing our customers with a peak dining experience. We feel that craft brewers are just as passionate about providing a delicious, high-quality, refreshing brew with every frothy glass.
Also, as cookbook authors and devoted home-cooks, we also love a great entrée and beverage pairing. We know how a fantastic meal can be elevated to new heights by a perfect pairing with a delicious microbrew—and vice versa.
So in honor of America’s craft brewers, grilling season, and great cuts of meat, we’ve put together some tantalizing pairings for American Craft Beer Week 2015 that you’ve really got to try!
Dark Lager
Referred to as dark lagers, dunkels, Munich dunkels, or schwarzbiers, pair these deep-hued, malty lagers with roasted notes with foods that can stand up to them. Great summertime choices include low-and-slow barbequed pork ribs or the in-your-face spice of a sausage like Linguica or Chorizo.
Beers:
Saranac Black Forest (NY)
Magic Hat Howl (VT)
Fruit Beer
Whether its a lager mixed with lemonade, an ale brewed with fruit, or something else altogether, fruit beers can be incredibly refreshing and delightful–perfect for summertime. Try them with lighter entrées, such as our Seasoned Split Chickens, which are great on the grill and as convenient as can be. They’re also great with a hearty summer salad, like our USDA Prime Dry-Aged Minute Steak sliced over salad greens, or grilled fish.
Beers:
Spoetzl Shiner Ruby Redbird (TX)
Leinenkugel Brewing Co. Summer Shandy (WI)
Samuel Adams Blueberry Hill Lager (MA)
Witbier
These earthy, fruity white ales pair well with seafood. Treat yourself to a decadent Wild-Caught Maine Lobster Tail on the grill. Then dress both the beer and your lobster with fresh wedges of lemon.
Beers:
New Belgium Mothership Wit (CO)
Long Trail Brewing Co. Mostly Cloudy (VT)
American Wheat Ale & Hefeweizen
American Wheat Ales and Hefeweizens are lighter in color. Hefeweizen have fruity notes, such as banana, and are often served with a wedge of orange or lemon. Likewise, fruit versions of wheat ales are often popular. Pair these beers with something equally light, such as a mixed greens salad topped with chunks of grilled chicken or Pork Loin Medallions. Layer it with fresh citrus fruit and/or berries—grapefruit, mandarin orange, raspberries, and blackberries are great choices—and fresh goat cheese.
Beers:
Kona Brewing Co. Hula Hefeweizen (HI)
Lake Placid Pub & Brewery High Peaks Hefeweizen (NY)
Montana Brewing Company Whitetail Wheat (MT)
Photo courtesy of the National Pork Board. For more information visit porkbeinspired.com.
Porter
Porters are dark, hearty, and sometimes a little bit sweet or smoky. They might seem a little heavy for spring or summer, but they’re actually a perfect match for barbecue! Try a porter with a smoky BBQ beef brisket sandwich, dripping with sauce.
Beers:
Sea Dog Brewing Co. Hazelnut Porter (ME)
Great Lakes Brewing Co. Edmund Fitzgerald Porter (OH)
Pale Ale
These golden-hued, classic ales are crisp and bitter. Serve with always-welcome, juicy, grilled sliders topped with a sharp, aged English cheddar to stand up to the hops.
Beers:
Dogfish Head Shelter Pale Ale (DE)
Kona Brewing Co. Fire Rock Pale Ale (HI)
Brown Ale
These deeply hued, nutty ales pair well with pork. Try them with your favorite pork sausage, such as Kielbasa, or try your hand at grill-roasting an impressive Rack of Pork or a succulent Boneless Center-Cut Pork Roast. Now that is a summertime feast to behold!
Beers:
Abita Brewing Co. Turbodog (LA)
Saranac Disruption Nitro (NY)
Stout
Stouts are known for their deep color, heavy body, and roasted flavor notes. It’s imperative to pair a stout with an equally rich food, even a spicy food. It’s a bit heavy for a summertime beer, but to make it work for grilling season, pair it with an equally substantial grilled entrée. Some of our favorites to pair with a stout are spicy barbecued beef short ribs, Jamaican jerk-rubbed grilled pork chops, or grilled chile rellenos.
Beers:
Great Divide Brewing Co. Yeti Imperial Stout (CO)
Breckenridge Brewery Oatmeal Stout (CO)
We know people are passionate about their craft beers, so we really want recommendations from you on what brews we should try next! What are your favorite craft beers or breweries? What’s your favorite craft beer and food pairing? Do you usually pair food with your beer or do you like to enjoy a craft brew on its own?
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